Alternative Text Description for Okeechobee Gourd (Endangered) Distribution Map

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the known distribution of the Okeechobee Gourd, an endangered plant species, across central and southern Florida. The map shows polygonal boundaries representing areas where this species is understood to occur according to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The distribution is concentrated in two main regions: one in the central Orlando-Deltona area and another in the Lake Okeechobee region in southern Florida.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers a large portion of the Florida peninsula, extending from Leesburg and Eustis in the north to West Palm Beach and Jupiter in the south, and from Lakeland in the west to Titusville and Port St. Lucie on the Atlantic coast in the east. Major labeled cities include Orlando (centrally located), Deltona (northeast of Orlando), Kissimmee (south of Orlando), Melbourne and Palm Bay (on the east coast), Yeehaw Junction (in central Florida), and Lake Okeechobee (labeled on the large lake in southern Florida). The map provides context within the state of Florida, with county boundaries and road networks shown as base map features.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Okeechobee Gourd exhibits a distinctly discontinuous distribution pattern with two primary population areas separated by approximately 100 miles. The northern concentration appears in the Deltona area north of Orlando, where the species occurs in scattered patches along what appears to be a river corridor. The southern and larger concentration surrounds the western and southern shores of Lake Okeechobee, with the most extensive continuous habitat along the lake's western shoreline. There are no documented occurrences in the extensive area between these two regions, suggesting either historical range fragmentation or habitat-specific requirements that are only met in these two distinct geographic areas.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Okeechobee Gourd (Endangered) Distribution Areas

This layer represents the polygonal boundaries of known habitat or occurrence areas for the endangered Okeechobee Gourd species.

Northern Population Area (pink crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

Pink or light red areas with a diagonal crosshatch pattern filling the polygons.

Distribution:

Located in the Deltona region, northeast of Orlando in central Florida. The features form an irregular linear pattern extending roughly north-south.

Notable locations:

The largest concentration appears near Deltona, with smaller scattered patches extending southward toward the Orlando metropolitan area.

Spatial patterns:

The northern occurrences show a linear arrangement that suggests association with a riparian corridor or drainage feature. Multiple small, disconnected polygons indicate a fragmented population distribution in this region.

Southern Population Area (pink crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

Pink or light red areas with a diagonal crosshatch pattern, visually identical to the northern population symbology.

Distribution:

Concentrated along the western and southern shoreline of Lake Okeechobee in south-central Florida, with additional smaller patches on the lake's eastern shore.

Notable locations:

The most extensive continuous habitat occurs along the western shore of Lake Okeechobee, forming a large irregular polygon. Additional smaller patches appear along the southern and southeastern portions of the lake.

Spatial patterns:

This southern concentration shows a clear association with Lake Okeechobee's shoreline. The distribution forms a partial ring around the lake, with the largest and most continuous habitat on the western side. The pattern suggests habitat requirements closely tied to the lake's ecological conditions or shoreline characteristics.

Overlapping Patterns

No overlapping patterns are present in this map. The two population areas are geographically distinct with no connecting occurrences between them.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents species boundary data as understood by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for the State of Florida. The polygonal boundaries represent areas where the species is documented to occur rather than individual plant locations. The endangered status of the Okeechobee Gourd indicates this species faces a high risk of extinction. The map shows only the Okeechobee Gourd distribution layer and does not display other endangered species that may occur in the same regions. Base map features including water bodies, roads, and city labels are provided for geographic reference.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

United States Fish and Wildlife Service species boundary data for the State of Florida. The data represents polygonal boundaries for species as understood by the USFWS.

Definition Query:

The map displays only records where the common name equals "Okeechobee Gourd" (COMNAME = 'OKEECHOBEE GOURD'), filtering the broader USFWS species dataset to show only this single endangered plant species.

Scale Information:

The map displays a regional scale covering several counties across central and southern Florida, appropriate for understanding the species' overall geographic range and distribution pattern across the state. This scale is suitable for conservation planning and range analysis but does not show fine-scale habitat details.

Coordinate System:

NAD 1983 HARN Florida GDL Albers (WKID 3087), a projected coordinate system optimized for accurate area measurements across the State of Florida.

Limitations:

The polygonal boundaries represent areas of known or potential occurrence based on available data and may not capture all locations where individual plants exist. The dataset reflects the understanding of species distribution by USFWS and may not include recent survey data or newly discovered populations. Areas outside the shown polygons do not necessarily indicate absence of the species, but rather areas where occurrence has not been documented in this dataset.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers central and southern Florida from approximately Leesburg in the northwest to West Palm Beach in the southeast, encompassing the full known range of the Okeechobee Gourd within Florida. Areas shown beyond the species polygons provide geographic context for understanding the species' distribution relative to major cities, water bodies, and landscape features.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.